Written questions by Cooper.

What steps she will take to improve the processing times for ILR applications for Syrian nationals.

On 14 July 2025, we published updated country information which enabled decision making on Settlement Protection applications for refugees from Syria to resume. Protection claims can now be processed and safe return reviews conducted where required in line with published policy for any Syrian nationals applying for Settlement Protection.The department is currently processing a large backlog of outstanding settlement applications. Cases are generally being considered in date order unless there is a specific reason to take them out of turn.Each application is considered on its individual merits and due to the significant change in the country’s situation, there could be instances where further evidence may need to be gathered to assess these applications and determine if there is an ongoing need for protection.If anyone has submitted a Settlement Protection application before their permission to stay expires, the conditions of their previous grant of permission to stay have been extended whilst awaiting a decision on their application, under section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971.We will not remove anyone to their own or any other country where they would face persecution or serious harm.

Whether she will produce new guidance on how to complete an Indefinite Leave to Remain application for families holding BNO citizenship, where one or more family members visa expiration date differs to the rest of the family.

The Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route guidance already sets out the requirements for settlement, including the need for applicants to complete a period of five years’ continuous residence in the UK.Applications under the BN(O) route are considered on an individual basis, and families have flexibility in when they apply, which can result in differing visa expiry dates between family members. Where this occurs, individuals may need to make a further application to extend their leave in order to qualify for settlement.We keep all guidance under regular review to ensure it remains clear and up to date.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question 71117 on Immigration: Syria, whether a delay of 30 months to ILR applications for a Syrian national is considered to be within the acceptable level of service for UKVI.

On 11 December 2024, we paused all Syrian asylum interviews and decisions whilst we assessed the country situation. This pause extended to Settlement Protection applications from Syrian nationalsThe pause was a necessary step while there was no stable, objective information available to make robust assessments of risk on return to Syria.On 14 July 2025, we published updated country information which enabled decision making to resume. We are currently processing the large backlog of outstanding applications in line with published policy. For those that were granted refugee status having lodged an asylum claim in the UK, where the basis of the grant of status is affected by the change in circumstances, or where it is unclear, we are writing out to applicants where necessary to gather further evidence to assess these applications, and may interview applicants where necessary to determine if there is an ongoing need for protection.Those who made an in-time application will continue to have their conditions maintained under Section 3C of the Immigration Rules.Settlement is a privilege, not an automatic right, and provides permission to stay in the UK permanently and freedom from immigration control for those who still require protection. All settlement applications are carefully considered on their individual merits, and this includes assessing whether there have been significant changes in country conditions or personal circumstances, which means that an individual no longer needs our protection.In line with our international obligations, we will not remove anyone to their own or any other country where they have a well-founded fear of persecution or are at risk of serious harm.

What guidance her Department has issued on whether BNO partners and dependents can apply for ILR before the main BNO status holder becomes eligible, in circumstances where BNO partners and dependents have earlier BNO visa expiration dates than the main BNO status holder in their family.

The published guidance for BN(O) visa holders and their family members wishing to settle in the UK is published at: British National (Overseas) visa: Settle in the UK - GOV.UK.The relevant guidance for caseworkers is available at: Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BNO) route: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK.

What guidance her Department has issued on whether the BNO partners and dependents can apply for ILR with the main applicant before they become eligible, in circumstances where BNO partners and dependents have later BNO visa expiration dates than the main BNO status holder.

The published guidance for BN(O) visa holders and their family members wishing to settle in the UK is published at: British National (Overseas) visa: Settle in the UK - GOV.UK.The relevant guidance for caseworkers is available at: Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BNO) route: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK.

Whether Hong Kongers with dual nationality of a third country eligible for an ETA, who also have an expired BN(O) passport, will be able to obtain an ETA to enter the UK.

BN(O) passport holders who do not also hold British citizenship are not exempt from UK immigration control in law. They may apply for an ETA using the passport of an ETA-eligible nation.

What information her Department holds on the (a) shortest, (b) average and (c) longest processing times for a decision on an in-country parent visa application.

The Home Office does not publish this specific information, but the current expected processing times for in-country parent visa applications can be found at: Visa processing times: applications inside the UK - GOV.UK

How many and what proportion of EU Settlement Scheme applications submitted before December 2022 have yet to be processed.

The information requested is not centrally held but the current EUSS processing times are published on GOV.UK - EU Settlement Scheme: current estimated processing times for applications - GOV.UK.EUSS applications are considered on the specific facts of each case.The most recent data on EUSS applications is published in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. The latest data relates up to June 2025.

What information her Department holds on the (a) shortest, (b) average and (c) longest processing times for a decision on an EU Settlement Scheme application.

The information requested is not centrally held but the current EUSS processing times are published on GOV.UK - EU Settlement Scheme: current estimated processing times for applications - GOV.UK.EUSS applications are considered on the specific facts of each case.The most recent data on EUSS applications is published in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. The latest data relates up to June 2025.

How many applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain submitted by Syrian nationals (a) before October 2024 and (b) to date are pending decision.

The information requested is not centrally held.

When she plans to respond to Question 71117 tabled by the hon. Member for St Albans on 29 August 2025.

A full and clear response to question 71117 was published on 17/09/2025.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a separate immigration desk system at the UK border for people who (a) live and work in the UK and (b) do not hold a UK passport.

There are no proposed changes to airport queuing arrangements for any cohorts, including for non-British citizens who live and work in the UK, at the current time. We keep this under review to prioritise security, maintain fluidity and ensure we continue to run our border in the best interests of the UK whilst also considering capacity and availability of space at individual ports.As set out in our Immigration White Paper, published May 2025, we are now moving to the next phase in our vision to revolutionise the UK border by using technology to make visible changes to security, flow and the passenger experience. We aim to do this through the piloting of new innovative technologies later this year and by continuing to explore options to expand the use of automation and eGates to more cohorts.

With reference to the Response to the Pre Action Protocol letter of from Wilson Solicitors LLP of 18 February, whether she intends to amend guidance for Home Office caseworkers on the Good character requirement, last updated 13 February.

It is longstanding Home Office policy not to comment on individual cases.The British Nationality Act 1981 is clear that it is for the Home Secretary to determine the good character policy. There is no definition of good character in primary legislation, nor is there statutory guidance as to how this should be interpreted or defined. Changes to the good character policy are at the discretion of the Home Secretary.

With reference to her Department's correspondence entitled ACMD 3-year work programme 2025 to 2028: commissioning letter, published on 2 June 2025, if she will consult families of people reliant on medical cannabis to treat drug-resistant epilepsy as part of the review of Cannabis-Based Products for Medicinal Use.

The Government commissioned the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (‘ACMD’) to review the current evidence on cannabis-based products for medicinal (‘CBPMs’) on 2 June 2025. The commission invited the ACMD to consider whether the legislation has had the desired impact and any unintended consequences, including on clinical trials.The Government recognises the importance of this matter to families who are affected by conditions like drug-resistant epilepsy, and this is why we have asked the ACMD to prioritise this work. The ACMD is an independent scientific advisory body and determines its own procedures. The Government has confidence in its ability to consider the full breadth of the evidence. The Government will consider the ACMD’s advice carefully before taking any action.

What steps her Department is taking to process the settlement protection ILR applications from Syrian nationals.

The pause on processing settlement protection applications from Syrian nationals has been lifted.We are working through the outstanding cases in line with the relevant published policy guidance taking into account the latest published country policy information on Syria. Each application will be considered on its individual merits and some cases may require further consideration and evidence gathering.We will not remove anyone to their own or any other country where they would face persecution or serious harm.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2025 to Question 63598 on Immigration: Hong Kong, how many and what proportion of applications to the priority visa service for BNO (British National Overseas) Indefinite Leave to Remain have been processed within five days of biometric enrolment in each month since 8 September 2023.

All figures relating to applications using the priority visa service for BNO (British National Overseas) Indefinite Leave to Remain are published in the relevant transparency data, which can be found here:Migration transparency data - GOV.UK.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 July to Question 63598 on Immigration: Hong Kong, what the (a) shortest, (b) longest and (c) average waiting time is for a biometric enrolment appointment from the date of receipt of a Priority Visa Service for BNO (British National Overseas) Indefinite Leave to Remain application, in each month since 8 September 2023.

The requested data is not held in a reportable format and could only be identified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of providing additional resource to the priority service for processing Indefinite Leave to Remain applications on the BNO route for Hong Kongers.

The Priority Visa Service for BNO (British National Overseas) Indefinite Leave to Remain applications was introduced on 8 September 2023. Straightforward applications are processed within 5 days of biometric enrolment. Sufficient resource is allocated to ensure this target is met.

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle the resale of stolen mobile phones.

On 6 February the Home Secretary brought together police, the National Crime Agency, the Mayor of London, local government representatives, leading technology companies and others to drive greater collaboration in breaking the business model of mobile phone thieves. The Summit resulted in clear commitments from attendees to work in partnership, including to significantly boost the sharing of data and intelligence on mobile phone theft to build a comprehensive picture of the problem, better understand the role of organised crime networks and identify the most effective means of tackling these crimes. This includes work to disrupt the resale of stolen phones, including exploring technological solutions to make devices harder to re-register or resell, and working with the police to better understand the routes used to sell stolen phones.The Home Office continues to regularly engage with the police and other stakeholders to progress work to tackle this criminality and the Home Secretary will reconvene this group shortly to agree further actions.In addition, the Crime and Policing Bill includes a measure to give police the power to enter and search premises for stolen property that has been electronically geo-location tracked to those premises, where it is not reasonably practicable to obtain a warrant without seriously prejudicing the entry and search purpose. This power will support efforts to recover stolen phones before they can be resold.

How many and what proportion of applications for naturalisation as a British citizen took longer than the six month service standard in the latest reporting period for which data is available.

The information requested is published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/passports-and-citizenship-data-q4-2024.